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" I was under the impression that the Soviet design of the suitcase nuke sheilded the radiation from detection from satellites, geiger counters, etc."

That would be some feat!

Even without shielding, a minimum Nuke would weigh close to 90 lbs. - With sufficient shielding to avoid detection, it would weigh over 175 lbs.

" That was the whole point of the back pack nuke. If it doesn't, then the carrier is on a bit of a suicide mission isn't he?

Not unless he carried it with him wherever he went for a month or more :-)

Even without shielding, a minimum Nuke would weigh close to 90 lbs. - With sufficient shielding to avoid detection, it would weigh over 175 lbs

If you say so, and I hope you're right. However way back in 1970 my college Physics III (modern and nulcear physics) proffessor made a comment that when he worked on such things, presumably in the 50s or early 60s, they carried the "bomb" to the test site in a suitcase. I indicated that that seemed awfully small, and he just smiled. ( He also dismissed class so that the students could attend an all student assembly which was an attempt to declare a student strike in conjunction with the so-called "invasion" of Cambodia in the spring of that year. Not sure about his motivation for doing so, in the event the assembly voted NO on a strike resolution, and roundly boo'd the guy who shouted "Shut it down, or we'll burn it down!". The guy was later arrested for attempted arson for throwning a "firebomb" into the student union building, scorching a carpet. :) )

Even without shielding, a minimum Nuke would weigh close to 90 lbs. - With sufficient shielding to avoid detection, it would weigh over 175 lbs

If you say so, and I hope you're right. However way back in 1970 my college Physics III (modern and nulcear physics) proffessor made a comment that when he worked on such things, presumably in the 50s or early 60s, they carried the "bomb" to the test site in a suitcase. I indicated that that seemed awfully small, and he just smiled. ( He also dismissed class so that the students could attend an all student assembly which was an attempt to declare a student strike in conjunction with the so-called "invasion" of Cambodia in the spring of that year. Not sure about his motivation for doing so, in the event the assembly voted NO on a strike resolution, and roundly boo'd the guy who shouted "Shut it down, or we'll burn it down!". The guy was later arrested for attempted arson for throwning a "firebomb" into the student union building, scorching a carpet. :) )

Yes, it is supposed to be very heavy and generally not moved by less than two people, but capable of being moved by one. I imaging a Swartznegger type could handle 175 lbs quite easily.